Highlights

Highlights of the week

10.07.2017
- 14.07.2017

Smart Borders: better control of travellers

Smart Borders: better control of travellers

A new electronic Entry-Exit System to register all non-EU citizens coming to the Schengen area for a short stay will be voted on in the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs on Wednesday. Both visa-required and visa-exempt travellers will have to register their name, type of travel document, biometrics and the date and place of entry and exit. The EPP Group welcomes the new system which will allow for the effective management of authorised short-stays, increased automation at border controls, and improved detection of document and identity fraud. In order to improve security in the EU, the EPP Group insists on giving access to law enforcement once the system becomes operational.

Providing support for stability and peace in third countries

Providing support for stability and peace in third countries

On Tuesday, Members of the Foreign Affairs Committee will give the green light to the use of EU funds to help the security forces in third countries to help the development and stability of the region. Authored by Arnauld Danjean MEP, the Report on the establishment of the Instrument for Peace and Stability provides for the deblocking of €100m from the EU budget for the period 2017-2020. These funds could be used, for example, to purchase non-lethal equipment for the security forces in Mali or the Central African Republic. We firmly believe that there cannot be development without security and therefore this proposal comes at a good time.